Security options are topic for Brush BOE

By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor

Posted:
02/12/2013 08:09:51 AM MST

Updated:
02/12/2013 08:10:22 AM MST

Administration within the Brush School District continue to work towards the goal of creating a safe learning environment for students.According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michelle Johnstone, who provided an update on school safety at last week's Board of Education (BOE) work session, creating that safe learning environment also relates to an increase in student achievement.In her presentation, the superintendent reported that district leadership is in the process of discussing the school safety plan that was developed in March 2010. "The plan should be updated every year…the current one is pretty broad," she explained, adding that a district safety committee will meet in March, April and May to review and update the current plan.Dr. Johnstone also followed through on board direction to visit area schools that use safety systems, including keyless entry and security cameras.In her visit to the Merino School District, the superintendent found that district to be utilizing a keyless entry system, as well as cameras that watch key areas of the building. Platte Valley (Kersey), she continued, uses a keyless entry system, cameras and the Raptor system. Additionally, staff wear identification badges."Both scenarios, with the push of a button, can lock all of the doors which I think is an important feature to have right now," she told the board.What Dr. Johnstone liked about the system in Kersey is that the first set of outer doors remain unlocked.

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At the second set of doors, a visitor is required to show identification, then gains entrance with a staff member unlocking the door.Kersey's camera system is triggered by motion and not a constant feed, she continued, while the camera system in Merino is a continuos feed. Both systems hold footage for 30 days, the superintendent continued.The Kersey system, referred to as DNA Fusion, also lets staff know if a door is ajar. "You can do so much with this system that it's amazing," Dr. Johnstone commented.When asked the age of each system, the superintendent explained that Merino's was included as part of the district's new construction plan, but is not sure as to the age of Platte Valley's system, as it was added after the building was constructed.Dr. Johnstone explained that while Director of Facilities Barry Quinlin is working on obtaining estimates for both wireless and non-wireless systems, the district also needs to investigate what support for the systems would be like five years out. "We need to ask them when we start into a system," she told the board.In other matters involving school safety, Dr. Johnstone updated the board on the School Resource Officer (SRO), explaining that staff are working on identifying office space and training, developing an agreement, the hiring process and start date, as well as developing a job description."This will not be a Brush School District employee…they will be a Brush Police Department employee," she told the board. "We need to think of it as buying a service."When asked how the contract would work, the superintendent suggested the district consider making it yearly to make sure there are check points that would involve receiving feedback from staff and parents. "We could renew it on a year to year basis," she said. Dr. Johnstone asked also asked board members to consider providing incentives to the SRO in an effort to avoid turnover in the position.Once implemented, she further noted the district would be providing 50 percent of the compensation as the SRO would be be present during in-session school days only, with the possibility of modifying a contract if they are needed to cover sporting events within the district.Another factor to implementing the SRO, said Dr. Johnstone, is to apply for a Juvenile Assistance Grant with the help of Christine Muldoon. "It generated interest last year, but it wasn't strong enough for us to get it," she commented.After reviewing the SRO job description during the regular portion of the board meeting, Dr. Johnstone explained the next step is to work with Police Chief Mark Thomas and the City of Brush to get a working agreement that will be brought back to the BOE.In other business during the work session, it was reported that there is a mental health need in all of the school buildings, with approximately 96 students in need of counseling services. Currently, one-third or 30 of those students are receiving services, Dr. Johnstone explained. "This is about 1,100 hours of service that would be provided by a mental health professional," she noted.Of the students needing counseling, 15 are at Thomson Primary; 20 are at Beaver Valley Elementary; 31 are at the middle school and 30 are at the high school.With sessions costing $45 to $50, and many parents not able to afford the cost, mental health professional Marta Sheridan is helping the district write a Venture grant."We would also like the mental health professional to come to the school to do therapy if possible," Dr. Johnstone stated, adding, "Counselors felt that other staff members could benefit from getting some mental health Professional Development as well."The work session also included a report from Business Officer Aaron Oberg in regards to the next budget."We're concerned about revenue…it is in its infancy stage as far as state planning goes," he told board members. When it comes to the negative factor, Oberg explained the initial estimate received in November shows the factor decreasing from the current 16.1 percent to 14.91 percent. "The state is anticipating better revenues," he said, further explaining that should the negative factor decrease, the Brush School District could receive an extra $25,000.Additionally, the per pupil revenue would go up to 3.7 percent."Another issue helping us to increase revenue is part of our at-risk student which is higher than we had expected," he continued. "We are getting a little bit more this year and a whole lot more next year."Oberg also expects the numbers to change, both in the districts pupil count, as well as what the funding structure will be. "We will get numbers from the state again at the end of March when the next economic survey comes out," he stated.Additional good news for the Brush School District is that it is anticipated to see a $9 million increase in the assessed valuation in the district. "Property values are going higher in the district and a lot of that is nonresidential," he stated.As far as expenditures, Oberg already knows that PERA increases will stay constant through 2020 as it is a statutory increase. "There's nothing we can do about that," he explained. He also anticipates that insurance and utilities will increase, although administration continues to discuss health benefits and how much of those costs the district will absorb.Additional expenditures could include filling a position at Beaver Valley Elementary School, as well as a half-time Director of Learning Services-type position. "That's going to have more to do with the rollout of Senate Bill 191 and what the administrator's role will be. We are holding that back as well," he commented.The district has experienced savings this year in the position of Director of Learning Services, along with in the timing of new hires who started at lower salaries than those employees they replaced, he added.Oberg continued that the district needs to be more aggressive as benefits are budgeted and he continues to work on comparing numbers in that respect. "Also as time goes on, we're seeing more people hit the maximum on the salary schedule," he noted, adding that the operating reserve for 2014 will be slightly higher as one-time expenses in 2013 will drop off and some capital projects were one-time in nature."This is a good starting point," he concluded, asking the board for direction on the budget.The next meeting of the Brush BOE will be at 5 p.m. on February 19 at the district office. with a meeting on the Mill Levy Override set for 7 p.m. on February 20, also at the district office.

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